Patient Willingness to Dispose of Leftover Opioids After Surgery: A Mixed Methods Study
Phoebe Draper1, Josh Bleicher2, Jaqueline K Kobayashi2
1Ronald O. Perelman Department of Emergency Medicine, New York University Langone Health, New York City, NY.
Summary
Making leftover opioid disposal convenient and offering financial incentives significantly increases patient willingness. Addressing barriers like anxiety and safety concerns is crucial for effective disposal strategies.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology and Patient Safety
- Public Health Interventions
Background:
- Opioid prescriptions are common after surgery, with most patients having leftovers.
- Unused opioids pose significant risks for misuse and harm.
- Current disposal methods have limited success.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate factors influencing patient willingness to dispose of leftover prescription opioids.
- To identify barriers and facilitators impacting opioid disposal decisions.
Main Methods:
- A mixed-methods approach combining a standard gamble survey and semi-structured interviews.
- Assessed willingness to dispose across varying convenience levels (time) and financial incentives.
- Utilized multivariable regression and qualitative analysis to explore decision-making.
Main Results:
- Most participants were willing to dispose of opioids if the process took under 15 minutes.
- A $50 incentive increased disposal rates for longer disposal times (from 9% to 36%).
- Concerns about future pain, safety, addiction, and environmental impact influenced disposal decisions.
Conclusions:
- Opioid disposal interventions should prioritize convenience.
- Financial incentives can be selectively effective in promoting disposal.
- Tailoring strategies to individual patient barriers and facilitators can improve disposal rates.
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